Al Quoz Creative Zone Celebrates Entrepreneurial Vision as Forum Crowns Three Ventures

The fourth edition of the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum has recognised three outstanding creative enterprises, each demonstrating the breadth of innovation emerging from Dubai's cultural landscape.

The creative energy of Al Quoz Creative Zone found expression recently when Dubai Culture and Arts Authority concluded its fourth Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum, a gathering designed to nurture the entrepreneurs and artists reshaping Dubai’s cultural economy. Three ventures emerged as the forum’s honoured winners: SoundX: Base, a music technology enterprise; Les Marionnettes, a puppet theatre company; and Rooted Elevation Games, an independent game studio crafting narratives rooted in Arabian heritage.

Held from 30th to 31st October at Area 57 within the creative precinct, the forum brought together a constellation of entrepreneurs, investors, designers and industry specialists under the theme “Creative Frontiers – Expanding What’s Possible.” The event drew eight finalists to pitch their ventures before a jury of established investors and business leaders, each venture representing a distinct vision of how creativity might sustain itself in the marketplace.

Dhruv Agarwala’s SoundX: Base secured first place, receiving AED80,000 in prize money. The music technology company operates through a combination of live performance, education and mentorship, developing creative tools and facilitating collaborations that enable emerging artists to build their practice and access professional opportunities. Second place went to Gabriella Skaf and Alain Wehbe, the co-founders of Les Marionnettes, whose multilingual puppet theatre extends into schools and communities through both a permanent venue and mobile performances that encourage imagination and cultural engagement. Lubna Alshamsi’s Rooted Elevation Games claimed third place with a venture specialising in narrative-driven games; the studio’s flagship project, ‘Saraab’, draws from Arabian folklore whilst combining hand-drawn artwork and original composition to bring regional stories to international gaming audiences.

The forum’s programming extended beyond competition to include substantive exchanges on the nature of creative entrepreneurship. Panels addressed the perspectives investors bring to assessing creative businesses, the strategies needed to sustain growth beyond initial success, and the ways emerging trends might shape the longevity of creative ventures. Practical workshops on fundraising, audience development and artificial intelligence applications complemented these discussions, offering participants tangible frameworks for developing their enterprises.

Khulood Khoory, Director of the Design Department at Dubai Culture, reflected on the gathering’s significance. “The strong participation in this year’s Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum reflects the ambition and diversity of Dubai’s creative community,” she observed, noting that the competition had drawn ventures spanning music technology, performing arts, gaming and interactive storytelling. “By bringing entrepreneurs together with investors and industry experts, the forum provides access to practical knowledge, fresh perspectives and professional relationships that can help creative ventures navigate challenges, identify market opportunities and build a foundation for long-term growth.”

The forum’s mentorship programme brought together a diverse faculty of practitioners and thought leaders, from founders of established creative enterprises to academics and creative strategists. This emphasis on knowledge transfer reflects Dubai Culture’s broader commitment, demonstrated in its recent launch of a Global Fellowship aimed at cultivating the next generation of cultural leaders across international cities.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum represents a significant investment in the infrastructure supporting Dubai’s cultural and creative industries. By creating structured pathways for creative practitioners to connect with investors, mentors and peers, the forum strengthens the conditions under which creative businesses might flourish and contribute to the broader economy. The breadth of sectors represented among the finalists, from gaming and theatre to music technology, suggests a maturing creative ecosystem with diverse applications and audiences.

This commitment to nurturing creative entrepreneurship reflects the UAE’s wider cultural strategy, positioning creative industries as a meaningful economic contributor. The recognition of ventures rooted in regional narratives, particularly in gaming and cultural activities that engage families and communities, speaks to a vision of cultural development that both celebrates Emirati and Arabian heritage whilst building sustainable, innovative businesses that engage global audiences.

Source: WAM